Top Angela Lansbury, who receives a DBE in the New Year Honours’ List, announced today. Above Katherine Jenkins receives an OBE for her contribution to music and services to charity.

Actresses Angela Lansbury and Penelope Keith are to become Dames in the New Year Honours’ List. Lansbury, 88, best known for her role in Murder, She Wrote, is on the diplomatic and overseas list for her work in drama, charitable work and philanthropy, while Keith, 73, is honoured for her services to the arts and charity.
The Honours’ List this year has more women than men for the first timeâ611 out of 1,195âthough men still outnumber women in the higher honours. Five per cent are from ethnic minorities.
Singer and actor Michael Crawford, 71, receives a CBE for services to children’s charities.
Nicholas Parsons, now 90, receives an OBE for his work in drama and broadcasting. Comedienne Sandi Toksvig also receives an OBE for her services to broadcasting, while mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins gets hers for her contribution to music and for services to charity. Lynda Bellingham, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, receives her OBE for her services to charity.
Author Anthony Horowitz (Foyle’s War) receives an OBE for services to literature.
Celebrity recipients on the list receiving MBEs include actressâwriter Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey), for her services to entertainment, Kevin McCloud (Grand Designs) for his work on sustainable buildings, and DJ Pete Tong for services to broadcasting and music.